History was made at Young Musicians Unite’s 11th Annual Gala where they raised $1 million in just one evening! With a goal surpassed by $150K by raising funds with auction items such as a Sheryl Crow guitar for $27K, YMU will now be able to provide over 7,500 students in Miami-Dade with free music education for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The sophisticated event which included sponsors such as Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Liquid Death, Playing for Change and more featured a live auction with items donated from notable celebrities such as Barry Gibb, Shawn Mendes and Sheryl Crow.
Performances by several student groups such as The YMU Jazz Collective, YMU Alumni Ensemble led by Estelle Morales, LoBac, Miami Beach Rock Ensemble, Undercover, Not Yet Published - Student Ambassadors, Avalanche - Student Ambassadors, The Chiefs Marching Band from Carol City Senior High and the Afterschool Jazz Ensemble from the Young Men’s Preparatory Academy were enjoyed by guests.
Notable guests in attendance were Daniel Lewis, Karolina Kurkova, Whitney Kroenke Silverstein, Naeem Khan, Randi Wolfson, Rich Bressler, Alvaro Perez Miranda, Gabrielle Anwar, Andi Potamkin, Claudia Potamkin, Al Di Meola, Shareef Malnik, Juan Carlos "J.C." Mas, Robert Gonzalez, Mary Blanco, Luisa Santos, Kenneth Jessel, Linda Julien and more.
“We are appreciative and blown away by the overwhelming support and love from the community towards our mission and children. I never thought I would say the words $1 million but we did it!” says Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, CEO/Founder of YMU.
Image credit: Ariel Feldman
